How (Not) to Be Secular, by James K. A. Smith
Jamie Smith has written a string of smart books that explain the significance of contemporary theory for Christian life and ministry. His new field guide to Charles Taylor may be his best.
Religious violence? The politics of a higher law
Throughout history, people loyal to a higher law have been responsible for much violence. Should we reject appeals to a higher law?
Making Lent difficult: The case for rigorous disciplines
Sustainable Lenten disciplines anticipate an Easter in which they will continue. But surely Easter hope is for something more.
A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan
Jennifer Egan's novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and a clutch of other awards this year....
Habits of anti-Judaism: Critiquing a PCUSA report on Israel/Palestine
Old habits die hard. Despite numerous attempts by mainline Protestant denominations to promote historically informed studies of Judaism, repudiate supersessionist theologies and engage in conversations wth Jews, the old habit of bearing false witness against Jewish neighbors lives on. In recent years this practice has thrived especially in mainline Protestant statements on the Middle East.
Christian America and the Kindgom of God
In this book, Richard T. Hughes offers a powerful argument against what he calls the myth of a Christian America....
The Fourth of July: How does a Christian celebrate?
On July 4, 1976, bicentennial fever swept through the U.S., and I caught an especially acute case. Soldiers from George Washington’s army occupied my bedspread. The seal of the Continental Congress dignified my bedroom rug. On the Fourth I put on a tricorner hat, rolled up my jeans to turn them into knee breeches, donned my mom’s ruffled blouse and grabbed my musket so that I could march with a hundred other suburbanites in a neighborhood parade.
Scholars for the church: Preparing seminary teachers
“How would your introductory course in your field help prepare students for ministry?” This question consistently stumped candidates fresh from graduate school who were interviewing for a faculty p...